On our trip to Portland this month, we visited the International Rose Test Garden, the oldest public garden of its kind in the U.S. Inside, I was surprised (and delighted) to find a Shakespeare Garden.

Last weekend, we spent three days in Portland, Oregon. It was a wonderful little mini break! Have you been to Portland? Isn’t it charming?

We missed trying the food carts last year when we were in Portland – this time, it was on my list! We went to the one on SW 10th and Alder Street and scoped out the scene!

I had heard great things about the Frying Scotsman, which is a fish-and-chips spot run by a Scotsman! The menu includes mushy peas and Irn-Bru!

We got the haddock and chips. He adds a touch of turmeric to the batter, which gives it a hint of curry flavor. Just a hint. The fries were double fried and delectable. It was certainly the best fish and chips we’ve had on the west coast!

On another note, I also tried the famed chicken and rice from Nong’s Khao Man Gai, which was great comfort food, as well as a pork taco from Korean Twist. All in all, it was a stellar first Portland food cart experience!

There you go, folks. The makings of an Olympian may be hidden somewhere in that combination (along with a lot of swimming, of course!). If you’re curious, you can read what he eats for lunch and dinner, too.

On weekdays, I generally go with two cups of coffee, and that’s it until a mid-morning snack of trail mix. (Yes, there is a reason I’m not an Olympian). But on weekends, I enjoy making pancakes, scones or cinnamon rolls for the family. In fact, a couple weekends ago, we indulged in this amazing biscuits and gravy recipe from Portland’s Mother’s Bistro & Bar, which is easily the best biscuits and gravy I’ve ever had.

So what do you eat for breakfast? The full English? Something more continental? Cereal? A cup of joe?